Montpellier rugby players are currently in a dynamic that is not in their favor with four defeats in their last five games, in all competitions, including elimination in the quarter-finals of the European Cup. Philippe Saint-André’s players, guaranteed to finish in third position in the ranking in the worst-case scenario on Sunday evening, will go to Clermont to retain their pole position and direct qualification for the semi-finals on June 17 and 18, at Nice.
At the top of the standings, the cists will have to fight at the Marcel-Michelin stadium, against Clermont residents who still have a tiny hope of being able to compete in the play-offs. Clermont, 9th in the standings, does not have its destiny in its hands but must seek at least one victory to be able to hope to finish in the top six. A victory, not only for a qualification, but also to honor their legends, Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez, who will end their careers at the end of the season.
During the regular season in the TOP 14, the people of Montpellier have shown their collective strength, with fifteen victories and a first place in the standings acquired several months ago. The Montpellier team left for a four-day training course, the technical staff’s desire to mobilize the whole group for the final sprint.
The MHR had not qualified for the final phase of TOP 14 since 2019.